“Here are the top 21 quarterbacks in the NFL right now,” Benoit wrote. “And by ‘right now’ we mean, if you had to choose a QB to play with for the rest of the 2017 season-only, who would you want? Assume the QB can bring his offensive system along, but not the players around him.”

“With Aaron Rodgers shelved, Stafford right now possesses the best arm in football,” Benoit wrote. “Plus, he continues to show more pre- and post-snap maturity in coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s offense. The Lions frequently line up in static formations and let their QB research the defense and tweak the play call before the snap. That’s what the Colts did in the Peyton Manning years.”

“True, it wasn’t a great showing for Stafford against the Saints last Sunday,” he said, “and yes, the Lions’ passing numbers are far from dazzling (there aren’t many weapons there). That doesn’t change the fact that Stafford’s skills have now caught up to his extraordinary talent.”

Benoit’s right that Stafford, in a vacuum, has finally realized much of the physical potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick back in 2009. And he’s right that a lack of weapons and protection has limited Stafford’s numbers.

But even within that framework, it’s tough to put him above quarterbacks like Drew Brees — especially after we just watched Brees dismantle Detroit. And unlike most of the others, Stafford’s health going forward is a real question right now.

Then again, looking down the list, it’s hard to see many players Lions fans would want to swap Stafford for. Ben Roethlisberger, who two weeks ago had a five-interception nightmare? Cam Newton, who followed up his gem of a Ford Field performance with a three-turnover lump of coal?

Any subjective ranking will spur debate, and it remains to be seen whether Stafford will be able to overcome his protection and weapons to lead Detroit anywhere special this season.

But all else equal, the Lions wouldn’t be better off with almost anyone else.

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